Experienced devs: Have you tried working with a mechanical (and/or custom) keyboard? Has it changed anything? Would it be worth investing in?

This question has been bouncing around my mind for a bit. Please let me know if I've accidentally copied the same question from someone else.

I haven't bothered.

Mechanical keyboards are all the rage at the moment, but it's something of a fad IMHO. They're nice, sure, but are they 5-10 times as nice as a normal keyboard (reflecting the price)? Do they increase productivity in a meaningful way? Can you type meaningfully faster on one (not just a few wpm?)

For me at least, the answer to all those questions is "no", so I really can't see the attraction. I get that's not the case for everyone, and for some they really do help, but I can't help but think most people purchase them for the trendiness and the obnoxious clicky sounds!

I have a keyboard with Cherry MX Blue switches at home, works really nice, but is loud.
My boss was so kind to replace my old Dell-branded cheap keyboard at work with a keyboard with Cherry MX Brown switches, they are pretty silent and I definitely type faster on that new keyboard. So, if the money isn't a factor for you (proper mechanical keyboards are about 60€ here, about 120€ if you want something backlit) then just try it.

Yes, it's worth it.

And it's not about typing faster, it's about typing reliably.

And let's be honest, the keyboard is the main tool of a developer, used the whole day long, so why grapple with a crappy one.

I type with less errors on my laptop thab on my mechanical keyboard. I guess I like low height keys more.

Believing that mechanical keyboards are not here to stay is ignorant! They are superior in every way; Comfort, responsiveness, build quality and aesthetic. And guess what? You can get keys that ARENT the CLICKITY CLACK CLACK and still have a hugeee e-peen

PSA my farts are louder than my MX brown keys + rubber o-rings

Oh wow, thanks for all the answers everyone!

For me it just makes typing feel nicer with a mechanical compared to a normal one (I've got Cherry Brown so they aren't very loud)